May 16 - 17, 11am - 7pm, AsiaTown | Rain or Shine | FREE Parking at CSU E. 24th & Payne Lots | No Pets Celebrating Culture, Unity, and Community.
#CAF2026CLE | 216.309.2759 | Email: info@clevelandasianfestival.org

Asian Pop Cover Dance Competition

Celebrating Culture, Unity, and Community.

Asian-Pop Dance Cover Competition

Are you ready to light up the stage? The Asian-Pop Dance Cover Competition returns on Sunday, May 17th, 2026, Day 2 of the Cleveland Asian Festival, and we’re calling all dance crews to bring their best moves, energy, and style!

From K-Pop and J-Pop to the latest Asian hits, teams will deliver show-stopping performances on the CAF stage, thrilling the crowd and competing for glory. Whether you’re in it for the spotlight, the passion, or the prize, this is your moment to shine.

Our panel of judges will be watching as teams battle it out for cash prizes – Sponsored by the OCA Greater Cleveland Chapter – Asian Pacific American Advocates:

  • 1st Place = $1,000

  • 2nd Place = $500

  • 3rd Place = $250

Get your choreography tight, your outfits ready, and your squad hyped—because this competition is not just about dance, it’s about performance, creativity, and capturing the spirit of Asian-Pop!

Do you have what it takes to wow the judges and ignite the crowd? Step up, bring the heat, and claim your spot at the Asian-Pop Dance Cover Competition!

Sign Up Here

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT :  April 15, 2026

Release Form: 2026 Asian-Pop Rules and Release Form (or click above for the form)

Requirements for the 2026 Cleveland Asian Festival’s Asian-Pop Dance Competition. Only 1 entry per group/school.

  1. Your dance crew must be between 2-8 people (allowances might be made for larger groups)
  2. You must use a mix of songs in your routine, a minimum of 2 but do not surpass 6 songs.
  3. Each submission must be between 4-6 minutes in length.
  4. Limit your music selection to the following genres: Bollywood (India), C-Pop (China), Filipino-Pop, J-Pop (Japan), K-Pop (South Korea), Nepali Hip Hop, Thai-Pop, and Vietnamese-Pop. You may cover dances or choreograph your own routine.
  5. All songs must be found in at least one database of the following music licensing companies or their affiliates: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC.
  6. At least one member or representative must be 18 years of age and a legal resident of the United States.
  7. If selected as a “Finalist,” you must be available on SUNDAY, May 17th, 2026 for a live performance/competition of your video compilation on the CAF Stage (Actual date/time will be informed when you receive your notification). If you do not appear, your position will be offered to the runner up(s). 
  8. Costume and music choices must be appropriate for a family-friendly audience.
  9. A complete W9 form will be required to claim monetary prizes.

How to submit for the 2026 Cleveland Asian Festival’s Asian-Pop Dance Competition.

  1. Record a video of your routine and upload it to youtube.com (set the video as “unlisted”).  Important Note:  Videos must have no or minimal editing and cutting – excessive editing is grounds for disqualification; we would like to see your performance as if it were live, preferably in one take.  The video is to have the same dancers, music, and routine that would be performed on stage should you be selected.  By submitting the video, you agree the Cleveland Asian Festival will be allowed to share this video until May 31st, 2026.
  2. Email your submission to asianpop@clevelandasianfestival.org.  The submission must have all of the following information in one email:  1) the link of your unlisted YouTube video, 2) The name of your Dance Team (or “Undecided” if not known), 3) the full names of each participant, 4) the titles of the songs used and 5) the following methods of contacting the Team Representative:  Representative Name, primary cell phone, primary email, mailing address. 
  3. Each member must download and complete the release form (see above). All signed released forms must be submitted via the link above.